
Chaka Camp, Serengeti
Chaka Camp, Serengeti. Chaka Camp is a semi-permanent movable camp set in the Serengeti ecosystem. “Chaka” means “bush” in Swahili, and that is exactly what the Chaka Camp provides: a real and personal bush experience in the heart of the Serengeti’s unspoiled nature. The Camp relocates twice a year to ensure that its visitors are perfectly positioned to watch the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Chaka Camp: The Details
Chaka Camp is meant to be lightweight enough to relocate seasonally. It can be found in the Ndutu area from December to the end of March, as well as the Northern Serengeti from late May to the end of October.
From December to March, the wildebeest migrate in and out of the Ndutu area. Ndutu is located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, just south of Serengeti National Park. Chaka Camp’s location allows easy access to outstanding wildlife viewing sites near Lakes Ndutu and Masek. In addition to the nearly two million wildebeest and zebra that migrate through the area each year, Ndutu is home to cheetah, lion, giraffe, and hundreds of bird species.
During the calving season in February, the wildebeest assemble in great numbers, giving birth to an average of 8,000 offspring every day. This is an excellent time to witness large herds of wildebeest, as well as predator-prey interactions. The Ndutu plains during the birthing season are stunning, with cheetahs, lions, and hyenas, as well as the occasional wild dog.
Chaka Camp is located in the Northern Serengeti and operates from late May to October. The camp is located near the Mara River, providing convenient access to various river crossing spots in the vicinity. During this time of year, wildebeest migrate back and forth over the Mara River from Tanzania to Kenya. River crossings are common, with crocodiles, hippos, and huge cats distributed throughout the area.
Because of their moveable nature, the 8 tents are simpler than some of the other great options in the area. It does include flush toilets and safari bucket showers, as well as spacious private verandahs where you can enjoy the wide and limitless vistas of the Serengeti ecosystem. There are separate dining and lounge tents, as well as a small bar and library.
Chaka is one of the most affordable luxury camps in the Serengeti. Staying here will provide you with a fantastic experience, including game drives in open cars and romantic bush dinners beneath the stars, resulting in a real and intimate bush experience. If you only have time for the Northern circuit, Chaka works well with Rivertrees in Arusha and Ngorongoro Farmhouse in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This circuit would take around a week, beginning with a night in Arusha, followed by two nights in the Ngorongoro Crater before continuing to Chaka for three or four nights. In addition to being a terrific value circuit, it provides a fantastic authentic safari experience in some of Africa’s most recognized places.
If you have the time and money, flying to Ruaha or Selous in southern Tanzania is a fantastic, but expensive, add-on. Similar camps, such as Lake Manze and Mdonya Old River Camp, provide the bush-camp vibe that distinguishes Chaka. Of course, after a week on safari, you may just want to rest and unwind by the beach. Although getting to Zanzibar from the North of Tanzania is more expensive and time-consuming than getting to Zanzibar from the South, it is still possible, and combining a Northern itinerary with a beach resort like Pongwe Beach Hotel or Zuri Zanzibar provides a pleasant finale to your vacation.